LEFT-VENTRICULAR DIASTOLIC PARAMETERS IN 288 NORMAL SUBJECTS FROM 20 TO 80 YEARS OLD

Left ventricular diastolic indexes are influenced by several variables . In order to evaluate the relationship of these indexes to age, heart rate, sex and to standard echo parameters, 288 normal subjects aged f rom 20 to 80 years, divided into six age groups, underwent a two-dimen sional colour Doppler examination. Doppler examination was performed f rom the apical four chamber view to evaluate transmitral flow; isovolu mic relaxation time (IVRT) was measured from an apical five chamber vi ew. In order to obtain a sufficient number of subjects for an adequate statistical analysis, seven hospitals were involved in the study. Uni variate analysis showed that age influences the peak velocity of the E (r = -0.46) and A waves (r = 0.46), the E/A ratio (peak velocities) ( r = -0.69), the A wave integral (r = 0.48) and the E/A integral ratio (r = -0.57), the early and late filling fractions (r = -0.48 and r = 0 .51 respectively), and the E wave deceleration (r = -0.43) and deceler ation time (r = 0.36). In subjects older than 70 years an inversion of the EIA wave ratio was observed. Multivariate analysis confirmed that age has an important influence on left ventricular diastolic indexes but also demonstrated that heart rate has a significant influence. Sex , ejection fraction (EF), and the dimensions of the mitral annulus and the left ventricular posterior wall had less influence on left ventri cular diastolic indexes. The mean values off and A wave acceleration, deceleration and peak velocity were used to depict left ventricular fi lling morphology in various age groups for three different heart rate values. The conclusions of the study, are: (I) normal left ventricular diastolic parameters were obtained as mean values at seven different hospitals (2) when evaluating left ventricular diastolic function para meters it is important to take into account age and heart rate; E/A in version in older subjects should be considered the normal mitral flow pattern.